Chapter 4: The role of the UK within key international organisations - The European Union (EU)

Question 1

The European Union (EU) was formally known as what?

Answer 1

The European Union (EU) was formally known as the European Economic Community (EEC)

Question 2

The European Union (EU) was formally known as the European Economic Community (EEC) and more usually as what?

Answer 2

The European Union (EU):

1. Was formally known as the European Economic Community (EEC)
2. More usually as the Common Market

Question 3

The 6 founding member countries which signed the Treaty of Rome in 1957 were who?

Answer 3

The 6 founding member countries which signed the Treaty of Rome in 1957 were:

1. France
2. West Germany
3. Belgium
4. The Netherlands
5. Luxembourg
6. Italy

Question 4

The 6 founding member countries which signed the Treaty of Rome in 1957 were France, West Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Italy.
The European Economic Community (EEC) aimed to do what?

Answer 4

The European Economic Community (EEC) aimed to:

1. Encourage trade between member countries
2. Allow for the free movement of people between countries
3. Work towards ‘an ever-closer union’

Question 5

Who first suggested the idea of a United States of Europe in 1946?

Answer 5

Sir Winston Churchill first suggested the idea of a United States of Europe in 1946

Question 6

Sir Winston Churchill first suggested the idea of a United States of Europe in 1946.
The European Economic Community (EEC) was seen as what?

Answer 6

The European Economic Community (EEC) was seen as a way of preventing future wars in Europe

Question 7

Sir Winston Churchill first suggested the idea of a United States of Europe in 1946.
The European Economic Community (EEC) was seen as a way of preventing future wars in Europe.
Twice in the 20th century there had been what?

Answer 7

Twice in the 20th century there had been war in Europe

Question 8

In 2016, there were how many members of the EU?

Answer 8

In 2016, there were 28 members of the EU

Question 9

In 2016, there were 28 members of the EU, of whom 18 did what?

Answer 9

In 2016, there were 28 members of the EU, of whom 18 used the Euro as their currency

Question 10

Euro

Answer 10

The Euro is the common currency used by the Eurozone (18 members of the EU)

Question 11

In 2016, there were 28 members of the EU, of whom 18 used the Euro as their currency.
When did the UK join the EU?

Answer 11

The UK joined the EU in 1973

Question 12

The headquarters (HQ) of the European Union (EU)

Answer 12

The headquarters (HQ) of the European Union (EU) is divided between:

1. Brussels in Belgium
2. Strasbourg in France

Question 13

In June 2016 in a national referendum the UK voted to what?

Answer 13

In June 2016 in a national referendum the UK voted to leave the EU

Question 14

In June 2016 in a national referendum the UK voted to leave the EU.
When will it formally leave the EU?

Answer 14

The UK will formally leave the EU after a minimum period of 2 years

Question 15

The EU has its own directly elected what?

Answer 15

The EU has its own directly elected Parliament

Question 16

The EU has its own directly elected Parliament, which is elected how often?

Answer 16

The EU has its own directly elected Parliament, which is elected every 4 years

Question 17

The UK has how many Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) out of 751?

Answer 17

The UK has 73 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) out of 751

Question 18

Member of the European Parliament (MEP)

Answer 18

A Member of the European Parliament (MEP) is an elected citizen to the Parliament of the European Union, normally representing a political party

Question 19

How are UK MEPs elected?

Answer 19

UK MEPs are elected by the closed regional party list system

Question 20

Closed regional party list system

Answer 20

The closed regional party list system is a proportional voting system used in the UK for European Parliamentary elections

Question 21

UK MEPs are elected by the closed regional party list system.
How are those in Northern Ireland elected?

Answer 21

Those in Northern Ireland are elected using the single transferrable vote (STV)

Question 22

The single transferrable vote (STV)

Answer 22

The single transferrable vote (STV) is a proportional voting system used in parts of the UK

Question 23

The decision-making process within the EU is different from that which operates in what?

Answer 23

The decision-making process within the EU is different from that which operates in its member states

Question 24

The decision-making process within the EU is different from that which operates in its member states.
What happens to proposals for new laws, directives, or initiatives?

Answer 24

Proposals for new:
1. Laws
2. Directives
Or,
2. Initiatives
are drafted by the European Commission

Question 25

The European Commission

Answer 25

The European Commission is appointed officials from member countries of the EU, who:

1. Draft policy initiatives
2. Direct the workings of the EU

Question 26

The decision-making process within the EU is different from that which operates in its member states.
Proposals for new laws, directives, or initiatives are drafted by the European Commission.
These are then what?

Answer 26

These proposals are then considered by the member state governments at Council of the European Union meetings

Question 27

Council of the European Union

Answer 27

The Council of the European Union is meetings of ministers from member states of the EU

Question 28

The decision-making process within the EU is different from that which operates in its member states.
Proposals for new laws, directives, or initiatives are drafted by the European Commission.
These proposals are then considered by the member state governments at Council of the European Union meetings.
Who is then consulted?

Answer 28

The European Parliament is then consulted

Question 29

The European Parliament

Answer 29

The European Parliament is the directly elected Parliament of the European Union

Question 30

4 times a year, heads of government from all the member states of the EU do what?

Answer 30

4 times a year, heads of government from all the member states of the EU meet at the European Council

Question 31

European Council

Answer 31

The European Council is meetings of the heads of government of EU member states

Question 32

The Court of the European Union

Answer 32

The Court of the European Union is the European Court of Justice

Question 33

In 2016, there were 28 members of the EU, of whom 18 used the Euro as their currency.
The UK joined the EU in 1973, after being what?

Answer 33

The UK joined the EU in 1973, after being refused membership by the French President in:

1. 1961
2. 1968

Question 34

Sir Winston Churchill first suggested the idea of a United States of Europe in 1946.
The European Economic Community (EEC) was seen as a way of preventing future wars in Europe.
Twice in the 20th century there had been war in Europe, with the 6 member countries doing what?

Answer 34

Twice in the 20th century there had been war in Europe, with the 6 member countries taking opposing sides

Question 35

In June 2016 in a national referendum the UK voted to leave the EU.
The UK will formally leave the EU after a minimum period of 2 years, during which time what?

Answer 35

The UK will formally leave the EU after a minimum period of 2 years, during which time negotiations will be held about the relationship between the:

1. EU
2. UK

Question 36

4 times a year, heads of government from all the member states of the EU meet at the European Council to do what?

Answer 36

4 times a year, heads of government from all the member states of the EU meet at the European Council to discuss the:
1. Political direction
2. Priorities
of the EU